Blog

More than a shared journal, Debbie’s blog serves as support to discipleship, mentoring, and counseling. Her writing both encourages and challenges Christian women to seek the Lord Jesus Christ in a greater way: Looking to Him, knowing His ways, pondering His promises, and obeying His commands.

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Latest Posts

  • How Can I Get More Out Of My Bible Study?
    Understanding the Bible isn’t just for pastors. Clarity of the Scriptures means the Bible is written in such a way that it can be understood by the average layperson. The only prerequisite to […]
  • Magnifying God in Our Teaching
    As a Bible teacher, there have been those times I’ve been tempted to rely on my own abilities, desires, and the approval of other women, but God always draws me back to his […]
  • When the Church Teaches Children the Bible
    It was at the tender age of nine years old that God rescued me from a home without Christ. There were no Bibles read, no prayers before meals, and no talk of a […]
  • The Importance of One Another Soul Care
    Counseling Among Women One of my favorite past times among women is enjoying conversation over a cup of coffee as the details of life are shared, a time filled with laughter. But there […]
  • Our Promise Keeping God
    We often find ourselves stretched on difficult days and decision making has the potential to become a challenge. Times will come when we might regret making a commitment, yet it is necessary to […]
  • The Problem of Moral Deception
    We are living in a world drifting further and further away from God’s moral principles. Nations once claiming to be Christian are now promoting ideals completely contrary to the Scriptures. American public life […]
  • When the Last Fledgling Flies
    Common Issues in Biblical Counseling, Part Five For most of us, years seem to fly by. When the last child leaves home, it’s common for parents to meet reality with contradictory emotions. You […]
  • Peace Reigns in my Soul
    Monday will be my 61st birthday. I’m sharing my writing from 2020. Thoughts on my Upcoming Birthday My writing desk today is a wooden table with a spectacular view. While nestled in the […]
  • What’s on the Horizon?
    As a wife, mother, and grandmother, I take seriously those opportunities God affords to serve my family. I strongly agree with Martha Peace who writes “God’s will for every Christian wife is that […]
  • Six Keys to Trusting God’s Faithfulness
    If God loves us, why must we experience pain? Scripture tells us that we will in fact have times of trials and when the pain becomes too painful, our theology plays a role […]
  • Safeguarding the Mind and the Heart
    The enemy of truth is Satan himself. His voice is subtle and his ways are cunning. Only the voice of God is absolute truth and knowing the Bible guards against false teaching. 2 […]
  • Where Does all the Noise Come From?
    Common Issues in Biblical Counseling, Part Four When we imagine ourselves as independent, we become captivated with our own plans. We pursue greatness for ourselves instead of giving glory to God. We want […]
  • Are You Held Captive to Guilt?
    Common Issues in Biblical Counseling, Part Three From a biblical perspective, guilt is black or white. You’re either guilty or not guilty. God has said that all have sinned and fallen short of […]
  • Is Hurt Your Best Friend?
    Common Issues in Biblical Counseling, Part Two It’s impossible to live in a fallen world with broken people and not deal with hurt. Simply put, we hurt others and we are hurt by […]
  • When Trouble Comes Your Way
    Common Issues in Biblical Counseling, Part One Do you have problems that seem too great to bear? Do you wonder if there is a way out of your circumstances? In our humanness, we […]
  • Real is Rare
    Today’s world is filled with deception that seems to take on new forms with each passing day. It’s easy to get caught up and many times we forget that real is rare. There’s […]
  • Resilience in a Heart of Service
    When I consider foreign missions, memories from 2015/2016 trips to Kenya flood my mind. I’m sharing a story with you that was originally published in 2016. It was an honor to write about […]
  • Do We Love Lost People Enough?
    In a previous blog post here, emphasis was placed on our call to the Great Commission and how the work need not only take place in those times we travel abroad. In this […]
  • Missions Begins at Home
    He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has […]
  • What are You Reading?
    As I’m writing this it’s as if I can hear the voice of my younger brother asking his frequent question, What are you reading? And if you know me well, you know that […]
  • Contentment, Part Six
    The Secret of Contentment In Part Five of this series we looked at unbelief as the source of discontentment. Discontentment is a sin; it denies the right of God to do with us […]
  • What Would James Tell Me? – The Letter of James, Part Seven
    My family is well aware that I’ve never been a flying-by-my-seat kind of woman. Surprises are awkward! Running behind leaves me frazzled beyond words. I value schedules and respect deadlines, which brings about […]
  • Contentment, Part Five
    The Source of Discontentment Why do we as believers often struggle with discontentment? What is the source of discontentment? In Part Four, we looked at the character of God as the foundation for […]
  • A Difficult Spiritual Discipline – The Letter of James, Part Six
    In previous posts for this series, we’ve considered variables that serve as evidence of the Christian faith. The Word of God tells us the marks of a true Christian, including love, repentance, humility, […]
  • Contentment, Part Four
    The Foundation of Contentment A. W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Most times, people lack knowledge of God’s identity, God’s nature, […]
  • Visible Faith – The Letter of James, Part Five
    Sometimes Hollywood celebrities promote acts of kindness, leaving the impression that they are making the world a better place. Good deeds might lead us to believe a person is of good character, but […]
  • Contentment, Part Three
    Contentment is for Every Christian Early in this series, we established that contentment is independent of circumstances. In Part Two, we looked at where contentment is rooted. Both are contrary to the consistent […]
  • Counterfeit Christianity – The Letter of James, Part Four
    I live in the South, where we are quick to affirm our faith in the lyrics of our music, in wearing gimmicky T-shirts, and by drinking from coffee mugs with catchy Christian slogans. […]
  • Contentment, Part Two
    Where is Contentment Rooted? In Part One, we saw contentment as hard doctrine intersecting with real life: True contentment is not dependent on circumstances. Contentment does not envy people, places, or things. Difficult […]
  • A Closer Look – The Letter of James, Part Three
    What use is it if someone says she has faith but she has no works? Can that faith save her? In the letter of James we see usage of the words “religion” and […]
  • Contentment, Part One
    Biblical Contentment What do you think about when there is absolutely nothing you must be thinking on, when your mind begins to wander? Would it be a running to do list, your next […]
  • Words Have Power – The Letter of James, Part Two
    When chatting with friends or family over the phone, we can be doing other things at the same time. But there are other times, when listening carefully is incredibly important. Listening well is […]
  • James Offers Theology – The Letter of James, Part One
    Anxiety, depression, worry, and doubt — these are what many of us deal with when trials come our way. In the midst of life’s circumstances we have a tendency to forget who God […]
  • James has Taken up Residence
    It is both good and right that women would take opportunities to study the Bible in community.
  • Holiday Blues – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why am I sad?
    She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by […]
  • Ashamed?
    “Grande Christmas Blend for Shawn. Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino with a double shot. Earl. A tall for Debbie,” came from her headset-flanked mouth. The voice, wrapped in a green apron, bellowed routinely amidst the […]
  • Assurance of Salvation: Can We Know We Are Saved?
    On our last evening of the fall term for Let’s Do Theology, I had the privilege of sharing my testimony with the ladies as I reflected on a hot summer’s day in 1970. […]
  • The Flip of the Calendar
    Pumpkins, gourds, and autumn foliage colored my recent days with thoughts of past generations. And, as my calendar flips from October to November, I reminisce this morning of holidays past. Thoughts of seasons […]
  • Pushing Replay on Sunday Mornings
    In systematic theology, we engage with God through doctrines that biblical scholars have systematically organized with supporting scripture, as well as those early church creeds and confessions rooted in the Scriptures. Many Christians […]
  • We are Tempted to Skip the Hard Parts
    While teaching Let’s Do Theology on Sunday evening, I was reminded that as Christian women in the year 2020 we are most often taught a mainstream theology of positivity and self-affirmation. In this […]
  • What’s on My Desk and Why it Matters
    Over the course of the next six weeks, my desktop will be cluttered with an array of systematic theologies. Wayne Grudem, Louis Berkhof, Michael Horton, and Millard Erickson will continually speak in the […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part Six
    Change is Hard In Part Four, we established the Christian’s union with Christ. As mentioned in Part Three, we are responsible to exert effort towards change. We approach change rightly not only for […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part Five
    Pride is a Barrier It’s vital we understand that fighting against sin is actually the pursuit of joy. Looking at it from that vantage point helps to confess and repent. We want to […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part Four
    Union With Christ Theologically speaking, nothing is more basic or central to knowing and enjoying God than union with Christ. It’s what the Bible and the heart of the Christian faith is all […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part Three
    Indicatives Vs. Imperatives In Part One, we began our look at vital elements of biblical growth and change: Biblical change begins by understanding and applying the gospel. The Bible sets forth a balanced […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part Two
    The Struggle is Real When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, our eternal destinies are altered. There is a radical reordering of priorities, a new life purpose, and we have the indwelling […]
  • Biblical Growth and Change, Part One
    We all Need Growth and Change As believers, we have begun a new life in Jesus Christ. But similar to physical life, spiritual life must develop in a healthy way. If after careful […]
  • Upcoming Series: Biblical Growth and Change
    At the sound of the alarm each morning, we push back the sheets and step into our routines. Day after day we do the same things, and in short-term thinking we often expect […]
  • The Importance of Multiplication
    Lydia, Ruth, and Esther found their way to my desk and have occupied much of my space over the past month. Through these women, we are given pictures of what it means to […]
  • Living Out Our Confession
    For the Christian, living in a fallen world sometimes means our conduct contradicts our confession. What does living out our confession look like? Does our discipleship match up to Jesus’ criteria of obedience […]
  • The Means by Which God Speaks to His Church
    The canon of Scripture was not an after the fact development, but something woven deep into the fabric of God’s redemptive plan. Since the close of the canon in the first century, the […]
  • Withstanding the Winds of Change
    We find comfort in our routines, locations, relationships, and health. Change, whether positive or negative, brings stress into our day-to-day lives. When life is interrupted, emotions run high. When fear of the future […]
  • Idols of the Heart
    When it comes to broken relationships, the issue is never really the issue. We don’t have relationship problems; we have character flaws that show up in relationships. When we are God-centered, we choose […]
  • Is God Doing Nothing in Our Waiting?
    All of us face troubles at some time that are out of our control. It’s what you do while you wait on God that shows where you stand in your faith. How many […]
  • Lament or Complaint? Consider the Difference.
    Although “lament” and “complaint” have some things in common, biblically they cannot be mistaken for each other. Time after time, we see God’s dissatisfaction with complaining and grumbling; most evident are the grumbling […]
  • Developing Discernment in Choices for Reading: Why it Matters
    “I think I will just read dead people,” I remarked as the penned words (freshly planted in my memory) hit the trash can. Confirmation of early morning news revealed the deplorable acts committed […]
  • Love and Marriage
    The chasm between the biblical vision and society’s view of love and marriage has never been broader. It rings true that previous generations’ view of marriage was never high enough but we have […]
  • Ancient Truths for our Modern Age
    Along my journey of lifelong learning, I can say with confidence that I’m not merely storing up knowledge for myself. God has blessed with opportunities to build up the body of Christ; whether […]
  • Happy New Year!
    And so it is that the current decade is coming to a close. For many of us, 2019 leaves with a mix of joys and sorrows, goals achieved and opportunities missed, friendships gained […]
  • Top Ten + Two
    Throughout the year I’ve shared book titles for pleasure and purpose. I am grateful for published authors whose education far exceeds my own; many good men and women have spent the bulk of […]
  • Digging Deeper
    Recent weeks brought me to a place of digging deeper for the purpose of affirming what I had known as truth. In addition to my personal Bible studies, I read several books whose […]
  • When Seasons Transition
    Amidst the books on my desk this week is my 2020 calendar. It’s the time of year that I begin transferring events and appointments. Seasons are an integral part of our lives and […]
  • What’s Your Idol?
    From my biblical counseling studies this morning: “A god is that to which we look for all good and in which we find refuge in every time of need. To have a god […]
  • In the Thick of Theology
    It’s been awhile since I’ve shared with readers what they might find on my desk. Alongside my coffee mug and laptop this morning are: Grudem’s Systematic Theology, Michael Horton’s Pilgrim Theology, and Millard […]
  • Wrapping Up
    Having concluded the series, Doctrine and Disciplines of the Bible, I’m wrapping up with a refresher. We must be reminded of my original objective in developing these lessons: In my observation and humble opinion, […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Nine
    Handle With Care In Parts 7-8 of Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, our focus was the disciplines of reading and studying the Scriptures. In Parts 2-5, we explored the Doctrine of the Word […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Eight
    The Hard Work of Bible Study In Part Seven, Read the Bible Well, we considered the spiritual discipline of reading the Bible, with primary focus on the importance of context. But in order to […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Seven
    Read the Bible Well In Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part One -You Are Invited, we determined the lack of spiritual disciplines in our society and the vast need for Christians to feed […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Six
    Perfect Posture Previously in the study, Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, a call to spiritual disciplines was presented, communicating both the importance of reading the Bible well, and the hard work of […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Five
    Authority & Sufficiency of the Scriptures In Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Four – Inerrancy & Infallibility of the Scriptures, we determined that the Bible, as God’s voice, is true and reliable […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Four
    Inerrancy & Infallibility of the Scriptures In Inspiration of the Scriptures, part three of Doctrines & Disciplines of the Bible, we established the importance of a right theology, affirming trustworthiness of the Bible by way […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Three
    Inspiration of the Scriptures In Part Two, Trustworthiness of the Scriptures, emphasis was placed on theological integrity: We must place our trust in the Scriptures, just as the church has maintained over time. Approaching […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part Two
    Trustworthiness of the Scriptures In Part One, Won’t You Join Me at The Table?, women were beckoned to hear, read, and study scripture. Rightly practicing the disciplines requires our consideration of the doctrine of […]
  • Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible, Part One
    Won’t You Join Me at The Table? God invites us to: Believe Him. Trust Him. Fear Him. Obey Him. Worship Him. But most importantly… Enjoy Him. Before every Christian is the invitation to […]
  • Excited to Share
    I am excited to share with you about an upcoming series reflective of my teaching from fall 2018. My objective with this series is to call women to the reading and study of God’s […]
  • Seeking God’s Will in Decision Making
    In a previous post, Do You Listen Wisely?, we considered the discernment and importance of life influencers who impact our daily decisions. Many times, we get distracted and confused in decision-making because we lose […]
  • Do You Listen Wisely?
    In this informational age, we are inundated with choices and decisions. Whether we admit it or not, it is simply fact that we are highly swayed by those around us. Almost subtly, we […]
  • Reflections
    It’s been a week of ups and downs and some days felt as if they were circling round and round. God blessed with personal ministry opportunities, as well as time for reading and […]
  • Finishing Well
    I’m often asked, “What’s the end-game?” Viewing life in light of 2 Timothy 1, Colossians 1:28, Titus 2, Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:8, my “end-game” is to finish well. It is for the glory […]
  • Happy Mother’s Day
    Happy Mother’s Day! All you moms get to church this morning. Let’s worship and give praise to our God for the privilege of being who He made us to be. Count your blessings […]
  • Goal Setting
    In a recent Facebook post, I shared with friends that I’m in a goal-setting and decision-making phase. This is something I take seriously: for all of us, time is fleeting. I’m considering long-term […]
  • Barriers to Rest
    My formal studies are in a holding pattern. But from my desk this morning, I’ve enjoyed sipping coffee while watching a rabbit at water’s edge. Our rainfall generously continues and the creek swiftly […]
  • Read But Read Well
    Books are among God’s good gifts to us. In my last post, I shared my own reading preferences. But what’s a girl to do if she enjoys reading and is drawn to the […]
  • She Reads
    The weekend took me away from my desk to moments of solitude: a gentle breeze, a striking view, and the brilliance of springtime foliage. So, what does a lifelong learner do while on […]
  • God Does Not Conceal Himself
    Our backyard has come to life; water is steadily flowing along the creek, birds are singing, and rabbits are nestled underneath the hydrangeas. This week, I’m observing creation in all its splendor but […]
  • Like a Box of Chocolates
    Following last week’s intro, I am writing to clarify the blog I’ve created: You won’t see a lot of fluff or creativity but if you desire to peer behind the desk of a […]
  • The Journey Continues
    If you know me, you know I am unashamedly a conservative Southern Baptist. Most of the year, you can find me teaching Christian theology classes and leading Bible studies at First Baptist Church. […]